India’s so-called ambitious target to achieve 175 GW of clean energy by the end of 2022, has its ups and downs. Currently, the situation seems a little on a downside. Many studies claim that India is bound to fall short of clean energy.

On the upper hand, according to a government report by the ministry of new and renewable energy, India added 269.64 MW of renewable energy capacity last month, adding up to total 70,053.81 MW on April 30. It includes 21,885.34 MW solar energy, 165 MW of wind energy, 4,489.80 MW of hydro energy and 8700.80 MW Biomass Cogeneration.

India is keen on reducing its dependence on coal for power generation. Last year, India has added more production capacity from renewable energy sources than coal annually for the first time ever. 11.788 MW of clean energy capacity was added since April 2017, double of the 5,400 MW from thermal and hydropower in that year.

But the main giants of clean energy, wind and solar energy, has fallen short of targets (100 MW of solar power and 60 MW of wind energy till 2022). Last year, wind power sector contributed 1700 MW capacity, short of 4,000 MW of the projected target resulted from the alteration of a policy in 2017.

The solar department failed to acquire the target of 15,000 MW closing at just 9,000 MW last year. This is due to failure on government part to sanction enough solar projects.

Apart from the two renowned sectors, biomass power and energy from waste are performing far better than expected. With new technologies and start-ups dedicated in the field, the sector has added 24 MW in the last year, more than double of the 10 MW target.

Still fluctuating between failure and achievements, the country would only be able to achieve 66% and 87% of solar and wind capacity targets, says a survey in 2018. India also faces financial difficulties in the renewable energy sector.

India needs to step-up its game. With more smart investments, technologies and innovations, India could end up being the world’s front pioneer of renewable energy by 2022.